I cannot help but wonder how much of an effect the many movie trailers for the upcoming new film version of this book had on my reading of it. The movie trailer dazzles with glam and speed. In reading, the story seemed much quieter, reserved. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I suspect strongly I would…
I loved this movie. Yes, it’s a teen movie, but it’s completely unlike others: it’s deep, painful, real, and most importantly, unpredictable. The layers of Charlie’s angst peel away slowly. My movie companion actually missed the key layer, much to her surprise. But that, to me, was part of the beauty: you discover, gradually, the…
Yes, it took me four months to finish this tale. And yes, I finished it only because I listened to the last forty percent of it during a long road trip. It’s an epic tale, and it’s good. But it was several stories in one. The writing is phenomenal, painting an amazing picture of Russia,…
Wow—what an intriguing flick. It started as a documentary about the largest house built in the U.S., then September 2008 interrupted the story. Banks fall. Loans fail. Companies crumble. And the story got a bit more interesting.
I learned a great deal from this book. Admittedly, though, it does have a slant; I’ve yet to find a single book on the issues that is not far slanted. Of course, this one leans on the side I lean toward, but it also leans too far for me in some respects, as I’ve read…
What an interesting look at marketing, people, and the industry. I was intrigued by how the semi-automatic industry grew, and even more so, I was amazed at the methods used to market this product. Fascinating.
Fantastic, informative, and insightful read following a young lady in and out of mental hospitals as she faces her schizophrenia.
Super Sad True Love Story was a deeply interesting look at how the future can play out with technology and relationships. While reading, it was a good read. the novel has complex layers and characters. But the book is not remarkable in that it doesn’t stay with you. Its tale does not linger. It flits…
A bit hard to follow at times, but this made for a great Book Club read. Lots of issues and areas to discuss.
Deeply layered novel about family relations and the complexities of marriage and spouses.
Interesting book. The writing style will, no doubt, bother some; I found it enjoyable. It comes across more like you’re having a conversation with a friend who is telling you the story of her life, looking back, and who continuously gets distracted or who must interrupt herself to tell another story to make the current…
The Help was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The story is inspiring and moving and sets a scene many people would rather forget. As much as I enjoyed the story, though, it did not speak to me in ways it did to other friends. Perhaps that involves my background of growing up as a minority, or…
This may be the first book essentially about relationships that I have read that was written by a man. And I must say, how interesting. The differences are mostly subtle, but differences there are. I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with Judd and his humorous and wonderfully dysfunctional family as they sat shiva after the…
Touching story of the lives of two women intersecting in Kabul, mainly in the 90s. The story arcs differently than that in The Kite Runner, but it is still good, and wonderfully told. I especially enjoy learning more about the struggles and beauty of the country. (Yes, this is fiction, but Hosseini does a grand…
I’ve told writers, “Know your audience.” But we should also tell audiences of fiction, “Know your book.” Someone else wrote about this story that it/the protagonist was depressing. No! It’s a delight! But maybe that’s just for those who can appreciate the humor as found in her situations. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, read,…